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At least 19 records

Recent developments and applications of the SEC vidicon for astronomy

The engineering development of the SEC vidicon as an astronomical sensor has continued in parallel with its operational use. One scientific application was the six hour exposure of the quasar PHL-957 at the Coude spectrograph of the 200-inch Hale telescope. The developmental effort includes both the enhancement of the basic attributes that make the SEC an appropriate sensor, namely, high quantum efficiency, low threshold, and long integration; as well as work to broaden its scientific usefulness, such as the development of a MgF2 photocathode window for vacuum ultraviolet sensitivity, and a permanent magnet focus design for thermal compatibility with proposed large space telescopes. Additional details on the characteristics of the SEC tube are discussed, as well as plans to make a larger and higher resolution version.

Zucchino, P.

Extreme ultraviolet solar images televised in-flight with a rocket-borne SEC vidicon system.

A TV image of the entire sun while an importance 2N solar flare was in progress was recorded in the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radiation band 171-630 A and was transmitted to ground from an Aerobee-150 rocket on Nov. 4, 1969 using S-band telemetry. The camera tube was a SEC vidicon, with its fiber optic faceplate coated with an XUV-to-visible conversion layer of p-quaterphenyl. The XUV passband was produced by three 1000-A thick aluminum filters in series together with the platinized reflecting surface of the off-axis paraboloid that imaged the sun. A number of images were recorded with integration times between 1/30 sec and 2 sec. Reconstruction of pictures was enhanced by combining several to reduce the noise.

Tousey, R.

SEC Vidicon spectra of Geminid meteors, 1972

The SEC Vidicon, a low light level closed circuit television system, was used to obtain 137 spectrographic records of meteors at Mt. Hopkins, Arizona, during the Geminid meteor shower in December 1972. Seven of the best Geminid meteor spectra are studied here in detail. The near infrared, out to wavelengths near 9000 A, is recorded for the first time for Geminids. The spectra, in general, exhibit the elements previously found in photographic records of this shower but show a surprising frequency of occurrence of the forbidden green line of O I at 5577 A. This line is normally absent from meteors moving as slowly as the Geminids (36 km/sec) and its presence in these records may be due to the added sensitivity available with the SEC Vidicon. The average green line duration in Geminid meteors with a luminosity near zero absolute visual magnitude is 0.73 sec at a mean height of 95 km, 11 km lower than the green line peak in Perseid meteors of the same luminosity.

Millman, P. M.

SEC ‐ SAXS / MC Ensemble Structural Studies of the Microtubule Binding Protein Cdt1 Show Monomeric, Folded‐Over Conformations

ABSTRACT Cdt1 is a mixed folded protein critical for DNA replication licensing and it also has a “moonlighting” role at the kinetochore via direct binding to microtubules and the Ndc80 complex. However, it is unknown how the structure and conformations of Cdt1 could allow it to participate in these multiple, unique sets of protein complexes. While robust methods exist to study entirely folded or unfolded proteins, structure–function studies of combined, mixed folded/disordered proteins remain challenging. In this work, we employ orthogonal biophysical and computational techniques to provide structural characterization of mitosis‐competent human Cdt1. Thermal stability analyses shows that both folded winged helix domains1 are unstable. CD and NMR show that the N‐terminal and linker regions are intrinsically disordered. DLS shows that Cdt1 is monomeric and polydisperse, while SEC‐MALS confirms that it is monomeric at high concentrations, but without any apparent inter‐molecular self‐association. SEC‐SAXS enabled computational modeling of the protein structures. Using the program SASSIE, we performed rigid body Monte Carlo simulations to generate a conformational ensemble of structures. We observe that neither fully extended nor extremely compact Cdt1 conformations are consistent with SAXS. The best‐fit models have the N‐terminal and linker disordered regions extended into the solution and the two folded domains close to each other in apparent “folded over” conformations. We hypothesize the best‐fit Cdt1 conformations could be consistent with a function as a scaffold protein that may be sterically blocked without binding partners. Our study also provides a template for combining experimental and computational techniques to study mixed‐folded proteins.

Cell Biology

Space application of SEC vidicons - The OSO 7 coronagraph.

An externally occulted Lyot coronagraph employing a digitized SEC vidicon detection system is a prime experiment aboard the NASA Orbiting Solar Observatory 7 (OSO 7). Continuing daily operation since the 29 September 1971 launch has produced more than 2200 pictures of the solar white light corona covering the region between 3 R and 10 R. Important advantages of the SEC vidicon in this application are its ability to integrate an electron image and store it for long periods prior to readout. Special applications of digital techniques are employed in stepping and pulsing the readout electron beam, thereby realizing the detector's inherent qualities of high resolution and large dynamic range.

Brueckner, G.

Study of magnetic perturbations on SEC vidicon tubes

A laboratory measurements program was conducted to determine the tolerances that must be imposed to achieve optimum performance from SEC-vidicon data sensors in the LST mission. These measurements along with other data were used to formulate recommendations regarding the necessary telemetry and remote control for the television data sensors when in orbit. The study encompassed the following tasks: (1) Conducted laboratory measurements of the perturbations which an external magnetic field produces on a magnetically focused, SEC-vidicon. Evaluated shielding approaches. (2) Experimentally evaluated the effects produced on overall performance by variations of the tube electrode potentials, and the focus, deflection and alignment fields. (3) Recommended the extent of ground control of camera parameters and camera parameter telemetry required for optimizing the performance of the television system in orbit. The experimental data are summarized in a set of graphs.

Long, D. C.

SEC vidicon testing

Results obtained from several basic measurements of the performance of an SEC vidicon camera head are presented. The measurements or tests are patterned around the sensor requirements which exist for a rapid response coronagraph. Following a brief description of the SEC vidicon camera head, test set-up, and operating procedures, results are presented for five basic tests. These tests include: (1) Input-output, or transfer, characteristics; (2) modulation transfer function; (3) signal-to-noise ratio; (4) photocathode sensitivity; and (5) target gain. The input-output characteristics and photocathode sensitivity measurements were obtained for three bandpasses centered about 4000, 5250, and 6200 A. Results are also given for the variation of photocathode sensitivity with position on the cathode surface.

Johnson, D. S., Jr.

SEC sensor parametric test and evaluation system

This system provides the necessary automated hardware required to carry out, in conjunction with the existing 70 mm SEC television camera, the sensor evaluation tests which are described in detail. The Parametric Test Set (PTS) was completed and is used in a semiautomatic data acquisition and control mode to test the development of the 70 mm SEC sensor, WX 32193. Data analysis of raw data is performed on the Princeton IBM 360-91 computer.

Source record

Pre-pulses: Signature of a trigger process in short (less than 60 secs) solar hard x ray flares

The continuing study of short hard x ray events (less than 60 sec duration) from the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) Hard X ray Burst Spectrometer (HXRBS) instrument has revealed a unique feature. A well-separated distinctly identifiable, narrow (2 to 6 sec wide) pulse occurs prior to the start of the longer-flare lasting emission activity. Light curves are presented for eight events showing this feature. The pre-pulses show symmetrical rise and fall times. Spectral evolution of the pre-pulses are presented and their evolution compared to that of the main event spectra. It is argued that this feature be the elementary flare burst (de Jager, 1978). These pre-pulses could be a signature of the magnetic reconnection phenomenon discussed by Sturrock et al., (1984).

Deasi, U.

Test experience, 490 N high performance (321 sec Isp) engine

Engines with area ratios of 44:1 and 286:1 are tested by means of hot fire tests using the NTO/MMH bipropellant to maximize the performance of the combined technologies. The low-thrust engine systems are designed with oxidation resistant materials that can operate at temperatures of more than 2204 C for tens of hours. The chamber is attached to the injector in a configuration that prevents overheating of the injector, valve, and the spacecraft interface. Three injectors with 44:1 area ratios are capable of nominal specific impulse values of 309 sec, and a performance of 321 lbf-sec/lbm is noted for an all-welded engine assembly with area ratio of 286:1. The all-welded engine is shown to have an acceptable design margin for thermal characteristics. High-performance liquid apogee engines are shown to perform optimally when based on iridium/rhenium chamber technology, use of a special platelet injector, and the minimization of losses due to fuel-film cooling.

Schoenman, L.

A calibration model for a stellar photometer using a SEC vidicon.

Description of a SEC vidicon response model that was used to calculate intensities of stars in the ultraviolet. The tube was used only as a stellar filter photometer. The model proposed is applicable for point sources. Experiments with both curve- or surface-fitting techniques and with extrapolation-interpolation procedures were conducted. The curve-fitting techniques were not successful, and the target gain was calculated with the aid of interpolation techniques.

Deutschman, W. A.

Astronomical observations with an SEC vidicon system.

Description of the design and operation of an SEC vidicon camera system, and review of some of the astronomical observations performed with it. Following a discussion of the main system and instrumentation features and a delineation of present and future software tasks, the preliminary series of observations obtained in conjunction with the 36-inch telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory is briefly surveyed. These observations include (1) exposures on the Orion Nebula through various narrow-band interference filters, and (2) exposures on the galaxy Messier 82 in white light and with medium band filters.

Chiu, H.-Y.

Ultraviolet proximity focussed converters for use in a satellite SEC-TV system.

Performance characteristics of Bendix type BX08025-4522 proximity-focussed vacuum-ultraviolet to visible-light image converters are presented. The converters are to be used with SEC vidicons as detectors for an echelle spectrograph on the International Ultraviolet Explorer astronomical satellite. Magnesium fluoride input windows with Cs-Te photocathodes are used in the converters, with P-11 phosphors on the fiber optic output windows. Quantum efficiencies, modulation transfer function, background, geometric distortion, and environmental test results are presented for the wavelength region from 1150 to 3500 A.-

Feibelman, W. A.

Large format SEC orthicon integrating television sensor for LST

The Large Space Telescope will employ a 70 mm format SEC type television camera tube as the data sensor for one or more scientific instruments. The characteristics of this tube are described. The current performance is characterized by an MTF of 50% at 20 line pairs per mm and a signal-to-noise ratio that is about one-half the theoretical based on the square root of the number of photoelectrons. The paper presents some astronomical results and the status of the environmental testing of the tube. Other topics such as radiation sensitivity and thermal design are also discussed.

Lowrance, J. L.

Slow scan SEC vidicon system

A slow scan SEC vidicon system is described here. This system is coupled to the 152.4-cm (60-in) McMath telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory. An anamorphic lens system is used to couple optically the vertical spectrograph to the vidicon system. The resolutin of the over-all system is 55 mA, while the resolution of the spectrograph alone is 50 mA. Actual observational results are used to evaluate the system performance.

Chiu, H.-Y.

Preliminary design package for Sunair SEC-601 solar collector

The preliminary design of the Owens-Illinois model Sunair SEC-601 tubular air solar collector is presented. Information in this package includes the subsystem design and development approaches, hazard analysis, and detailed drawings available as the preliminary design review.

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Owens-Illinois subsystem design package for the SEC-601 air-cooled solar collector

The subsystem design of the SEC-601 solar collector was evaluated. The collector is of modular design and is approximately 12 feet three inches wide and eight feet seven inches tall. It contains 72 collector tube elements and weighs approximately 300 pounds. Included in this report are the subsystem performance specifications and the assembly and installation drawings of the solar collectors and manifold.

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